When you’ve been hurt, every dollar matters. And when that long-awaited settlement finally arrives, many clients expect the entire amount to come straight to them. But personal injury settlements don’t work that way — and when no one explains the breakdown, frustration can grow fast.
At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we believe in transparency. You deserve to understand exactly where every dollar goes, why certain deductions exist, and how we fight to maximize the amount that ends up in your pocket. Because when we say “You Hurt? We Fight!” — we mean it at every stage of your case, including settlement.
Below is a clear, honest breakdown of how settlement money is divided and why these steps matter for protecting your future.
1. The Total Settlement Amount
This is the gross amount agreed upon by both sides — either through negotiation or a trial verdict.
It represents compensation for:
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Medical bills
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Lost wages
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Pain and suffering
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Future care needs
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Property damage (if any)
This number is before any legal or case-related deductions.
2. Medical Bills & Liens
Your medical treatment is one of the biggest factors in your case’s value — and typically the largest deduction from your settlement.
You may see deductions for:
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Hospital bills
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Specialist visits
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Physical therapy
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MRIs and diagnostic tests
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Surgery or emergency care
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Health insurance liens
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Medicare/Medicaid liens
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VA liens (for our many veteran clients)
Why this is important:
These bills must be paid out of the settlement because they were part of the losses caused by the accident. If they aren’t paid properly, they can follow the client long after the case closes.
At our firm, we negotiate aggressively with providers to reduce these balances whenever possible — meaning more of the settlement goes to you.
3. Legal Fees (Contingency Fee)
At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront — and you don’t owe us anything unless we win for you.
In most personal injury cases, the contingency fee typically ranges from 33% to 40% of the total settlement amount. This percentage can vary depending on factors like whether the case settles before a lawsuit is filed or if it proceeds to litigation or trial.
This fee covers the legal work required to build and win your case, including:
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Investigations
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Gathering evidence
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Negotiating with insurance companies
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Filing and handling lawsuits
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Preparing for mediation or trial
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Bringing in experts when needed
Because we only get paid when you do, our team is fully invested in fighting for the maximum compensation possible.
No win, no fee. No exceptions.
4. Case Costs (Not the Same as Attorney Fees!)
These are the out-of-pocket expenses we advanced while fighting your case. They typically include:
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Medical record retrieval
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Filing fees
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Expert witness fees
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Depositions
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Accident reconstruction
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Court reporters
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Mediation costs
We front these expenses so clients aren’t burdened during recovery. They’re reimbursed at the end from the settlement.
5. Your Net Settlement (Your Final Check)
This is the amount you receive after:
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Reduced medical balances
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Legal fees
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Case costs
It’s the true “take-home” figure — and the part most clients understandably focus on.
Our goal is always to maximize this number.
That means:
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Fighting for a higher total settlement
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Reducing medical balances where possible
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Challenging unreasonable liens
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Only taking cases we believe we can win
We’re your partners in justice — and we treat every settlement like it’s our own.
Why the Breakdown Matters
A clear explanation helps:
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Reduce confusion
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Build trust
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Set realistic expectations
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Prevent frustration at the end of the case
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Ensure clients understand what they’re signing
We believe you deserve transparency, communication, and respect. That includes explaining each dollar so you never feel left in the dark.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve Answers — and an Advocate
At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we don’t just hand you a settlement check.
We walk you through:
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How your money breaks down
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What was negotiated on your behalf
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What we were able to reduce
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And most importantly, how we fought to get you the best possible result
Because you’re not just a case file — you’re our neighbor, our client, and our partner in achieving justice.